Linotype-machine.



PATENTBD MAY 14,1907.

3. VAN WIE.

LINOTYPE MACHINE. APPLICATION TILED 0OT.1. 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

UNITED srn' ps PATENT onrron.

BYRON VAN WIE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

LINOTYPE-IVIACHINE.

lcatented May 14, 1907.

Application filed October 1, 1906. Serial No 337,036.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BYRON VAN WIE, of New York city, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Linotype-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to linotype machines and kindred machines, in which slugs or linotypes are cast in a mold against composed lines of matrices presented momentarily to the mold.

It has in view more particularly the production of slugs adapted. for the printing of figure tables, in which the figures are printed in vertical columns, and more especially when these columns are separated by vertical column rules composed of short sections cast on the successive slugs and joining end to end. In the production of the slugs for this class of work, the principal difiiculty lies in so adjusting or justifying the composed lines of matrices that the rule-forming matrices in the successive lines will be adjusted exactly the proper distance apart, in order that the rules formed on one slug may register or aline exactly with those on the adjacent slugs. T 0 this end, I provide the first elevator of the Mergenthaler linotype machine with a series of stops or locking devices whereby the spaces in the composed line may be secured at the exact .points required, and in connection with these stops, I use matrices adapted to form'the vertical rules on the slugs. Each of these matrices is preferably the stationary wedge or member of the ordinary double wedge spacer or justifier.

In the accompanying drawings,Figure 1 is an outline elevation of the assembling mechanism of a linotype machine with my improvement incorporated therein. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the first elevator. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section of the same. Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the mechanism for withdrawing the stops or space-locking de vices. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the spacers having the rule-forming matrix therein. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of two of the table slugs such as it is the object of my invention to produce. Fig.- 7 isa front elevation of a composed line of matrices and spacers.

Referring to the drawin s, A represents the ordinary inclined longltudinally channeled magazine containing the matrices for the various characters, spaces, &c., which are delivered therefrom, one at a time, by means of the usual esoapement devices connected with a series of finger keys.

B is an inclined assembler belt from which i G is a horizontally movable line-delivery carriage provided with two depending fingers g and g.

H is a fixed horizontal channel through which the composed line is delivered, as hereinafter explained.

' I is the vertically movable support for the composed line, commonly known as the first elevator. It stands normally in the level of the intermediate channel H, and after receiving the line, descends in order to present the composed line to the mold and casting mechanism for which, and subsequent to the casting action, it rises above its original level in order to deliver the composed line to the distributing devices.

After the composition of the line is completed, the assembling elevator D rises, presenting the line between the fingers g and g of the carriage G. The carriage then moves to the left, transferrin the line fromthe assembler through the c lannel H, to the first elevator I, by which the line is lowered to the casting position in front of the mold.

So far as described, the parts may all be constructed and arranged to operate as in the commercial Mergenthaler machines of the present day, represented as to essential features in Letters Patent of the United States, No. 436,532.

I will now describe my invention.

Referring to Fig. 6, K, K, represent adjacent slugs or linotypes, each having on one edge the characters 7c, to print the figures or letters constituting the body of the table, and 7c, is, represent the short rules formed transversely on the edges of the slugs between the other characters, their arrangement being such that those in one slug will join closely to those in the next, in order that they may jointly print a continuous vertical column rule in a manner now common in the art.

- Heretofore there has been difliculty in insuring the adjustment of the matrices in one line in such manner that the rules cast there from will aline exactly with those from the previous line. Fig. 7 represents one of these composed lines consisting of matrices L, containing the figures or other characters, and the intermediate spacers M, located at distances apart corresponding to the location of the column rules. These expansible spacers or justifiers are of the well known Shuckers pattern, consisting each, as shown in Fig. 5, of a short wedge member m, adapted to be supported in the line of matrices, and a long wedge member m, suspended from the, short member by a vertical sliding joint, and tapered in the opposite direction, as usual. Heretotore, these spacers have been used solely for the purpose of expanding or justifying the line, and of closing the mold between the adjacent matrices. I propose to make them serve the additional purpose of matrices for the column rules 7c, and to this end I provide the short or stationary member m of each spacer, in the edge which is presented to the 'mold, with the intaglio character or matrix m of suitable form to produce the column rule across the edge of the slug. These spacers are inserted in the line of matrices, as usual, and so far as their justifying action is concerned, they operate in the ordinary manner. In order that the rules produced by the matrices m on one slug may register exactly with those produced on the preceding and succeeding slugs, I provide means for locking the matrix m in the exact positions required in the first elevator I, when it presents the line to the mold. To this end I propose to provide the elevator I with adjustable locking devices of any suitable character adapted to engage the matrix spacers M and lock them against lateral movement in the elevator I. These locking devices, which must provide for holding the spacer matrices at di'tlerent distances apart according to the distance required between the column rules, maybe of any construction analogous to that herein shown and described, the only requirement being that they shall temporarily engage and hold the spacers without interfering with the introduction of the composed line horizontally into and out of the elevator I. In the drawings, N, N, represent these stops, each consisting of a pair of vertically sliding pins seated in holes in the top of the elevator I, and held normally in a depressed position by springs n. The lower ends of these pins are in such position that when depressed, they will straddle spacer matrices M. In other words, the pins, when they are depressed, engage and hold the upper ends of the spacers M, so that they are prevented from shitting or moving lat-- erallyeach spacer being held by two pairs o'l pins, one pair engaging the front ear, and the other the rear ear.

The locking pins are acted upon by horizontal levers a, mounted .in the elevator in a horizontal rock-shaft a, having on the outer end a crank arm iii. When the ele ater is raised to the position shown in Fig. 1, to admit ot the matrix line entering horizontally from the right, the crank arms a" engage lixed stops it on the main frame, whereby the locking pins N are all raised so that the matrix line, including the spacers, may enter freely. After the line is in place in the elevator, and as the latter is lowered, the. cranks it, released from the action ol the stops )1, permit the pairs of pins to descend and engage the ears of the spacer matrices ll, as before described. After the line has been low ered to the casting position by the elevator, the series oi spacers M are pushed upward through the line from below, in order to elon gate or justify the same as usual. As the upper matrixcarrying member ot each spacer is held in position between the pins, the as cending wedges will tightly justil'y or fill out the matrix line between the members in, but. the latter will be held in position so that the rules produced on one slug by the matrices m will coincide exactly with those produced on the next slug from the next succeeding line of matrices.

The essence ol the invention lies in means for lockin the members which contain the matrices 'mF, against lateral movement and in definite positions in the elevator, and this whether these matrices in are termed in the wedge member 7)), or in ordinary matrix bodies which will be locked and held by the pins N in the same manner that the parts at are locked.

When the elevator I is lilted from the casting position to its uppermost position, preparatory to the delivery o'l' the matrix line out of the elevator to the distributing devices, the locking pins must be retracted in order to release the spacer matrices M, and admit of their passing out oi the elevator with the other matrices. This an be e'll'ected by steps a, on the main frame, in position to engage the cranks a, or any other suitable means may be employed to the same end.

It is to be understood that in place ol the locking pins N, any equivalent means maybe used to engage the matrices which term the column rules, and hold them trom moving laterally during the justitying or casting aetion. In other words, my invention embraces any means whereby the matrices for casting the vertical column rules on the eonor embrace the cars at the upper ends of the l tinuous slugs may be temporarily locked in IIO predetermined positions so that they will occupy like positions in the successive lines and consequently produce on the successive slugs rules which will register.

While I have shown my invention in a form adapted for embodiment in the Mergenthaler linotype machine, it is to be understood that it is applicable to all similar machines, and that the devices for holding the rule-forming matrices will be used in connec tion with the part which sustains the line of matrices in front of the mold, Whether this part is the first elevator, as herein shown, or another but equivalent member of the machine.

It will be observed that in my structure the rule-forming matrices are held by means independent of the mold, and thatthey may be used with a mold having a long uninterrupted slot so-that a series of rules may be cast on each slug.

Having described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a linotype machine, a composed line of matrices including matrices for forming column rules, in combination with means for locking the rule matrices in predetermined positions against lateral movement; whereby one or more rules may be formed in predetermined positions on each slug or linotype.

2. In a linotype machine, means for supporting a composed line of matrices in the casting position, and movable devices for locking certain of the matrices separately against lateral movement during the casting action.

3. In a linotype machine, an elevator or line-support I, provided with movable means a for locking certain matrices individually therein in predetermined positions.

4. In a linotype machine, the first elevator adapted for the horizontal introduction and removal of the matrix line, in combination with devices movable transversely in relation to the line, and adapted to lock individual matrices in predetermined positions.

5. In a linotype machine, an elevator or support adapted to sustain a composed line of matrices and present the same in the cast- -means for automatically effecting the engagement and disengagement of said'devices.

6. In a linotype machine, an elevator or support for the matrix line, in combination with movable stops or looking devices adapted to engage and hold the edges of individual matrices; whereby the position of such matrices in the line may be determined and maintained' 7. In a linotype machine, a support for the composed line of matrices, in combination with the ordinary matrices, the intermediate spacer matrices M, and means for locking the matrix members of the latter in definite positions.

8. The rule-forming matrix for a linotype machine consisting of the positively tapered co-operating wedges, one of said Wedges containing the vertical matrix groove m whereby it is adapted to serve the two-fold purpose of justifying the line and forming a rule on the slug or linotype in given relation to the adjoining matrix.

9. In a linotype machine for producing tabular matter, the combination of a line of matrices, including matrices for column rules and wedges for elongating the line, means for sustaining said line in the casting position, and movable means for locking the rule matrices temporarily and individually in predetermined positions.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day of September, 1906, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

BYRON VAN WIE.

Witnesses:

JOHN F. GEORGE, NORMAN DODGE. 

